Product Code: ICA11_M302

Back End Monolithic Series Interconnection of a Thin Film PV Module By Laser Scribing and Screen Printing
Authors:
Johan Bosman, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands; Eindhoven Netherlands
Corné De Kok, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands; Petten Netherlands
Jochen Löffler, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands; Petten Netherlands
Laurie Wipliez, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands; Petten Netherlands
Martijn De Keijzer, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands; Petten Netherlands
Wim Soppe, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands; Petten Netherlands
Presented at ICALEO 2011

The combination of back end laser scribing and screen printing introduce a potentially cost-saving decoupling of (vacuum) deposition steps and interconnection steps in the production flow of (roll to roll) thin film PV solar cells. This break makes it possible to optimize the back end series interconnection independent of the front end coating and deposition processes. To facilitate this optimization of depth-selective laser scribing with respect to the subsequent print processes, a generic laser platform has been built. This platform enables the integrated use of multiple laser sources at three different wavelengths (1030 nm, 515 nm and 343 nm). The use of screen printing for the conductive and isolating lines makes an integral approach of laser scribing and printing necessary. The flexibility of the laser is used to compensate for the slower response of the screen printing facility. These coupling concepts are essential for a successful implementation of depth-selective scribing and printed interconnection as a generic industrial concept for interconnection in thin film PV module devices. The integrated laser platform is a next step in our development towards the integrated module production concept, using the laser and print production processes we have developed in the past.